Red Dust (1932)

Red Dust - 1932

Our next film is 1932's "Red Dust", starring Clark Gable and Jean Harlow.  A rubber plantation in Asia is the scene of a love triangle between the plantation owner, a prostitute, and an engineer's wife.

The film's supporting cast includes Gene Raymond, Mary Astor, Donald Crisp, and Willie Fung.

Dennis Carson is the owner of a rubber plantation in Asia.  He's a no-nonsense kind of a guy who keeps his employees walking a firm line.

His operation is upset when a prostitute named Vantine comes in on board a supply boat.  She's on the run from the authorities in Saigon and needs a place to hide out.  The boat leaves and she's got to stay put for four weeks.

At first, Dennis and Vantine don't like each other.  She doesn't like his rude manner, and he doesn't like her pushy, loud ways.

But it doesn't take long for the two to warm up to each other.  The plantation parrot just laughs when they kiss.

After the four weeks are up, Vantine prepares to leave.  Dennis hands her a wad of cash.  She refuses it, saying it wasn't like that.

On board the ship is new engineer Gary Willis.  Dennis is shocked to see that he brought his wife, Barbara.

Dennis lets her know that her presence is a complete surprise to him, and he's not happy with it.

Gary takes sick with jungle fever.  Dennis gives Barbara the proper provisions to make sure he pulls through and then leaves to go back to work.

She runs after him and gives him a dressing down for the way he's left Gary in her charge.

That night, the boat returns bringing Vantine.  Something happened to it, and now she's got to stay on at the plantation for six more weeks, which doesn't make Dennis happy.  He doesn't want Vantine and Barbara mixing company.  (When Vantine arrives, a tiger has been heard in the vicinity.  "Did you hear that hungry pussycat back there?" asks Vantine.  "I've begun to feel like a porterhouse steak.")

The next morning, Vantine and Barbara meet, and their two personalities instantly clash.

Vantine further embarrasses Dennis by bathing openly in full view of the plantation and its occupants.  When he tries to make her see sense and gets near, Barbara walks up and sees them together, a disapproving scowl appears on her face.

Later on, Dennis gives Barbara a tour of the plantation, and the two come to understand each other.  Dennis even tries to joke with her.  "Oh, I once knew a man who made a joke like that.  He was run over by a truck," says Barbara.  Dennis grins and asks, "Were you driving it?"

They are caught in a sudden downpour.  Dennis carries Barbara back to the plantation house.  Caught up in the adrenaline of the moment, they share a kiss.

Vantine knows what happened and is none too pleased.

Once Gary is better, Van decides to send him on a "field trip" during which he will be gone for three or four weeks.  Gary is glad of the chance to prove his abilities.

Vantine knows what Dennis is up to.  She accuses him of sending Gary away so he can get closer to Barbara.

And that's just what happens.  During their time alone, Dennis tells Barbara about running away together and leaving this plantation behind.  She readily wants to go along with him.

Dennis decides to go and check up on Gary's progress in the field.  He tells Vantine to keep out of Barbara's way, and she wants to know why.  "I thought we might put up a few curtains and make a batch of fudge while we’re planning what to wear to the country club dance Saturday night," she says with a smirk.

When he gets to Gary, they have to hunt a tiger that is causing a disturbance.  Up in the trees, Gary tells Dennis how much he loves Barbara and all of his future plans with her.  Dennis starts to feel badly.

Soon enough, the tiger comes out and they get him.  (FYI: No tiger was harmed in the making of this film.)

Dennis decides to go the long distance back to the plantation.  On the way, he passes the supply boat which will dock the next day.

Back at the plantation, Dennis tells Vantine he's through with Barbara.  He and Vantine are much more suited to each other.  Vantine is thrilled.

Unfortunately, Barbara hears them "rough housing" and comes into the room.  Dennis tries the cruel approach, hoping that it will make her not want to go away with him.

The cruel approach works.  However, Barbara pulls out a gun and shoots Dennis in the side.

Having been warned by the other members of this team that Dennis was after his wife, Gary returns just after the shot.  Vantine saves the situation by telling him that Dennis was after Barbara every moment, and she did what any virtuous wife would've done and shot him.  Gary and Barbara plan to leave by boat the next day.

After they go, Vantine nurses Dennis back to health, and the two plan to enjoy their life on the plantation.

Cast rundown:

   Clark Gable...........................Dennis Carson

   Jean Harlow..........................Vantine Jefferson

   Gene Raymond......................Gary Willis

   Mary Astor.............................Barbara Willis

   Donald Crisp..........................Guidon

   Willie Fung.............................Hoy

And that's all for Red Dust.  Joan Crawford was cast in the film, but MGM decided against her participation in order to end an affair she was having with Clark Gable.  Jean Harlow's husband of two months committed suicide during the production, and she was absent for 10 days following his death.  The studio worked to remove itself from the scandal of the suicide by hoping to fire Harlow.  However, a poll showed great support for the actress due to her being widowed, and she was kept on.  This film was later remade as "Mogambo" in 1953, and it starred Clark Gable, Ava Gardner, and Grace Kelly.

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